Juma Mouchette and Ryan Furbert will be travelling two different roads with hopefully the same ending when the pair take to the track this weekend at the 2010 CARIFTA Games in Cayman Islands.

Mouchette and Furbert are on their way to their second and third Games respectively, with both hoping that this time around they reap the benefits of the hard work put in to get them where they are.

For Mouchette, a former junior national cross-country champion, it will be a second bite of the cherry after being one of the youngest competitors in the Uner-17 boys' division last year.

The athlete recently competed in the North American, Central American and Caribbean Association Championships (NACAC), and was the first junior from local shores to cross the line, finishing in 25th position.

This year the former Middle School Front Street Mile champion will compete in the 1,500 and 3,000 metre events.

Now that he has Games experience, Mouchette believes he can get on the podium with the major players from last year's edition of the spectacle in his age bracket having advanced to the Under-20s.

"Last year was tough," said Mouchette. "I was probably one of the youngest in my age group and went out there a bit nervous with the crowd and so forth but this year I will be accustomed to the settings and the competition.

"In the newspaper they were saying I might be a surprise and get a medal, which I hope I can do, but I just want to go and do my best.

"Last year the biggest problem was that I didn't know how they started the races but now I know how my first 400 metres has to be and so forth.

"Most of the competition from last year, I think, have moved up so this time around I may be the oldest and hopefully I am successful.

"I want to at least be in the top five and maybe even medal."

Furbert won't have the same luxury as Mouchette having gone up to the Under-20s, but still wants to put his best foot forward and make an impact.

The 17 and Under national track and field national champion admitted that while he has ambitions to produce his best performance in the Games this year, his preparation hasn't been the best.

"This is my first year in the Under-20s, I am a bit nervous as I haven't been training how I am supposed to be but I will go and try my best and see where that takes me," said Furbert.

"Last year I came fourth and almost got the bronze medal in the long jump.

"I don't know who exactly I will be up against but I want to try to jump 1.95 metres again, or even two metres and get an encouraging result."

The athletes left yesterday with the Games running from Saturday to Monday.